THE MICROLAND THREAD..."Home of the Tailwinds"

[mulderpm]

Had a great flight this morning. Wheels up at 6H45 with +3 deg on the ground at FABA. At 5700 the temp was +10 deg. Nice Saw the car pile up on the N12...about 5 km of cars backed up. Three cars were burnt out...terrible ER choppers were reporting on Special Rules as to be on their way.

Sir Francis, it is not so cold aloft...and the sun ain't going to do much in an hour... especially not to the air at 7500ft. When I landed at FABA this morning, just before 8, the ground temp was still around 3 and their was still frost everywhere. Lets leave as early as possible and get away from the cold. The distance to Leeukop Airstrip (S26.86758 E28.07264) is 66 miles via Romeo Alpha (just south of Ergo Slimes Dam). So, no wind (highly unlikely) an hour and fifteen minutes is all it will take. Runway is grass, 12-30, reporting on country 124.8 MHz. Dionne will be my pax so I will have to buy some stuff when we get there. I have such mooorse panniers now Dionne could fit into one....then there is space on the back seat for fuel. .... ...eina. I will have to get some fuel....hope you have some cans....and some drinks...and a stukkie vleis, when we get there. Spoke to August at Leeukop, and we are most welcome....just bring some tie downs.

Rhodie, the pilot with the shiny licence,....you coming with? Wonder if the Chain Gang is still going to join us for Saturday breakfast. Rafiek!!!...Gary!!!...Crocodile eggs on toast coming up??? Max may need directions to crocodile nest.

Fly Safe

[Robbie Shaw]

Had a great flight this morning. Wheels up at 6H45 with +3 deg on the ground at FABA. At 5700 the temp was +10 deg. Nice Saw the car pile up on the N12...about 5 km of cars backed up. Three cars were burnt out...terrible ER choppers were reporting on Special Rules as to be on their way.

Sir Francis, it is not so cold aloft...and the sun ain't going to do much in an hour... especially not to the air at 7500ft. When I landed at FABA this morning, just before 8, the ground temp was still around 3 and their was still frost everywhere. Lets leave as early as possible and get away from the cold. The distance to Leeukop Airstrip (S26.86758 E28.07264) is 66 miles via Romeo Alpha (just south of Ergo Slimes Dam). So, no wind (highly unlikely) an hour and fifteen minutes is all it will take. Runway is grass, 12-30, reporting on country 124.8 MHz. Dionne will be my pax so I will have to buy some stuff when we get there. I have such mooorse panniers now Dionne could fit into one....then there is space on the back seat for fuel. .... ...eina. I will have to get some fuel....hope you have some cans....and some drinks...and a stukkie vleis, when we get there. Spoke to August at Leeukop, and we are most welcome....just bring some tie downs.

Rhodie, the pilot with the shiny licence,....you coming with? Wonder if the Chain Gang is still going to join us for Saturday breakfast. Rafiek!!!...Gary!!!...Crocodile eggs on toast coming up??? Max may need directions to crocodile nest.

Fly Safe

Sir Paul and Co ..... I was planning to until I heard that I have to attention a site meeting in Rustenburg early Saturday morning .... Damit sorry ..... You know what keeps planes in the air ???????? Money ...... Until the next time ..... Fly safe ..... Chat soon.....

[Bundy]

I'll let you two toppies fight it out for a take off time...

As always, the weather will decide for me. If the wind is picking up later in the day then we should get airbourne as soon as possible.

Here is the route I would like to fly to avoid the built up areas around Springs. We can route North or South of Heidelberg...makes virtually no difference to distance which is 63NM on this route plan.

[Robbie Shaw]

I'll let you two toppies fight it out for a take off time...

As always, the weather will decide for me. If the wind is picking up later in the day then we should get airbourne as soon as possible.

Here is the route I would like to fly to avoid the built up areas around Springs. We can route North or South of Heidelberg...makes virtually no difference to distance which is 63NM on this route plan.

VAAL Trip.jpg

Looking at the flight plan , I should cancel my site visit due to the lack of interest because there are bigger fish to fry enjoy guys pic please ...

[Frank Smallwood]

OK I am outvoted, wheels up at first light. I will put on my thermal underwear and thick gloves. Route east of Springs is fine by me. Doesn't add significantly to the distance. If we leave that early the croc farm may not yet be open for breakfast at 08:30 but we can wait. I think I shall try and bring a thermos of coffee to warm the fingers on landing. Also I don't think I will get Sharon out of bed to be at Leuwkop by 08:30 as she will drive the car down.
We will appoint Dionne as official photographer.
Fuel cans will not be a problem to arrange and beer, meat etc. can be bought in Denysville.

Had nice flight to Bronkorspruit dam yesterday afternoon. Crosswind take-off when I left but smooth as anything when I returned. Fingers still going white when I landed!!

By the way Alan the last bit of road from Denysville to airstrip on the R716 is single track and now a dirt road but with good surface.

Either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning I suggest a flight over the Vaal dam to Oranjieville. If weather forecast looks Ok I intend to fly back Sunday afternoon otherwise Sunday morning.

Cheers Frank

[Percy Smit]

FABB (Brakkies) do have coffee (waypoint) on your route... just fly a bit more west from Springs...... LOL

[Lassie]

Any one knows where I can buy gloves that are fixed to the bar(the trike's bar that is). Bundy I saw some on BDP where did you got it from?

[Bundy]

Bundy I saw some on BDP where did you got it from?

To be honest I don't actually know, we got them with the aircraft when we bought it. They work like a charm though!
In winter I fly only with those, no gloves. I prefer to have my hands (skin!) on the bar for take off and landing....even in -2 degrees....haha I also find it very difficult to operate the radio/GPS with gloves on....but that's just me? In the cruise they are nice and snug.

By the way Alan the last bit of road from Denysville to airstrip on the R716 is single track and now a dirt road but with good surface.

Thanks....I will inform my ground crew!

Maxine will only be leaving PTA by about 07h30 as she has to let the Restaurant night crew out in the morning. She will prob only get to Leeukop by 9am...assuming she does not get lost?
I'm quite happy to take off a little later to suit Sharon/Max. 07h30 sounds about right to me.....not too bothered really. We can take some coffee in the trikes for when we get there.

[HENNING JOHAN]

Just remember that Heidelberg airfield got is own freq 125.900 in a radius of 5nm.I will listen on my handheld for you guys!Enjoy it.

[Bundy]

Just remember that Heidelberg airfield got is own freq 125.900 in a radius of 5nm.I will listen on my handheld for you guys!Enjoy it.

Dankie Johan, sal vir jou n "goodmorning" gee as ons verby vlieg.

[HENNING JOHAN]

Sal luister!

[Frank Smallwood]

Morning All,
The weather forecast for Saturday's trip to Vaal doesn't look very promising but should still be flyable if we get off early. We can make a more informed decision closer to the time. I intend to get my trike fuelled and pre-flighted the night before so there is minimum to do first thing Saturday morning. Sunday looks much more pleasant for fly around the area and trip home again.

Cheers Frank

[Frank Smallwood]

Weather forecast fro Saturday looks un-flyable at the moment but we can make a call on Thursday or Friday. Maybe front will come through sooner than they predict.
Cheers Frank

[topflight]

Skyriders on Kyknet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BXpGgR ... detailpage

[mulderpm]

Went for a flight this morning. Most probably the last one until next week. This weekend’s Denysville trip does not look possible, but let’s play it by ear.

Now for the real bad news....last night our cupboards in the lapa at Microland was trashed and some of the grocery has been stolen. The fence was also cut but none of the hangars seem to have been entered. Myself and Johannes inspected what we could and all seems to be OK.....for now. These low life criminals have now inspected the hangars/contents and will be back. These criminals have now targeted our airfield as an easy target for theft. This is the second time in two months that we have been burgled. There is a lot of very valuable equipment in the hangars and some only have shade cloth as a barrier. A sharp knife or NT Cutter is all that is required to gain access. Improved security will have to be our next highest priority. Hans....I hope you read this.

Fly Safe.